Anthropic’s growing presence in India has run into a legal challenge from a domestic software company that says it has been using the “Anthropic” name for years, highlighting how the rapid international expansion of AI companies can create conflicts with established local players. The dispute has emerged as Anthropic increases its focus on the Indian market. The San Francisco-based AI firm announced the opening of an India office in October and recently named former Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose to lead its operations in the country, signaling the market’s rising strategic importance as global AI companies expand beyond the U.S. and Europe.
In a complaint filed in January with a commercial court in the southern Indian state of Karnataka and reviewed by TechCrunch, Anthropic Software, an Indian company, claims it has operated under the name since 2017. The filing alleges that Anthropic’s recent entry into India has caused confusion among customers and seeks legal recognition of the Indian firm’s prior use of the name. The company is also seeking relief to prevent further confusion, along with ₹10 million, or approximately $110,000, in damages.
Anthropic Software’s founder and director, Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla, told TechCrunch that the company was not looking for a confrontation but rather acknowledgment of its earlier use of the name within India. He added that legal action became necessary only after attempts at a clean coexistence failed.
“As of now, I am exercising my legal right as it’s causing huge confusion to my customers,” he said.
The case unfolds against the backdrop of intensifying competition among AI companies in India, the world’s most populous country and one of the fastest-growing internet markets globally. India has become a key arena for firms such as Anthropic and rival OpenAI as they seek new users, talent, and partnerships.
The timing also coincides with major industry events in the country. India is set to host an AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week, where Anthropic co-founder and chief executive Dario Amodei is scheduled to appear alongside other prominent technology leaders, including Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Sundar Pichai.
A court order dated January 20 and reviewed by TechCrunch shows that the Karnataka court has issued notice and suit summons to Anthropic. However, the court declined to grant an interim injunction at this stage and scheduled the matter to be heard again on February 16.
The dispute illustrates a broader challenge facing fast-scaling AI firms as they expand globally: balancing ambitious branding strategies with existing local businesses that may already hold rights or goodwill associated with the same name in high-growth markets.
